Study Techniques

The countdown to exams can be overwhelming, and the pressure spikes when you realize there’s only one day left to revise. Suddenly, every chapter, formula, and key concept seems like too much to handle. Many students procrastinate or leave preparation until the final hours, leaving them stressed and unsure how to cover everything efficiently. The good news is that even with just 24 hours, you can revise smartly, focus on high-impact topics, and strengthen weak areas. With a structured approach, active recall techniques, and careful time management, one day can still make a significant difference in your performance. In this guide, we share practical strategies and actionable tips to help you make the most of your last-day preparation and approach the exam with confidence. TL; DR Prioritize high-impact topics, focus on summaries, key formulas, and lecture notes, and avoid trying to cover the entire syllabus in one day. Use active learning techniques like teaching concepts aloud, visual aids, flashcards, and timed practice questions or mock tests to reinforce understanding and recall. Manage time and stress effectively with a structured schedule, distraction-free study space, short breaks, and adequate rest to maximize productivity in the final 24 hours. How To Revise Effectively in One Day Before Exam? The day before an exam can trigger anxiety, stress, and pressure for students. Many struggle with the thought of revising an entire syllabus within 24 hours. Despite this, the last day can be crucial for consolidating knowledge, revising high-priority topics, and fine-tuning exam strategies. A day before an exam, focus on light revision, organizing materials, and prioritizing your physical and mental well-being over intense last-minute cramming. By following a structured plan, staying organized, and using active study methods, even a single day can significantly impact exam performance. 1. You Can’t Afford To Lose Early Day Benefits Start your day early in the morning to maximize productive hours. Research from the University of California, Berkeley, 2018, shows that cognitive performance peaks in the early morning hours when the brain is fully rested. Benefits of waking early: Tip: Avoid starting the day with social media or idle browsing. Begin with focused study sessions. 2. Sit With All Your Study Aids Before Starting Gather all your study materials before beginning: Organizing your study aids on a single flat surface ensures you won’t waste time searching mid-session. Time management is critical when only a day is left. 3. Give Social Media A Day Rest Digital distractions can derail your preparation. Studies indicate that students using social media before exams have reduced attention spans and lower retention (Source: Journal of Applied Cognitive Studies, 2020). Tips to minimize distractions: 4. List Down All the Important Topics One day is insufficient to cover the full syllabus. Identify high-yield topics based on: Example: High-Priority Topic Table Subject High-Impact Chapters Suggested Time Allocation Mathematics Calculus, Probability 2 hours Physics Mechanics, Electricity 1.5 hours Chemistry Organic Reactions, Periodic Table 1 hour English Essay & Comprehension 45 minutes 5. Find a Quiet Study Spot A distraction-free environment is essential. Choose a well-lit place where you can study undisturbed. Libraries, study halls, or a quiet room at home work best. Additional tips: 6. Go Through the Chapter Summaries & Lecture Notes Instead of reading full textbooks, focus on chapter summaries, key formulas, and lecture notes. This method helps you: Tip: Highlight crucial terms, definitions, and formulas in your notes. 7. Make Use of Charts, Flashcards & Graphs Visual tools improve memory retention and concept clarity. Use: Example: For a history exam, use a timeline chart of major events to revise efficiently. Visual representation accelerates recall during the exam. 8. Explain to Someone Else Teaching concepts reinforces your learning. Explaining topics to a friend or even aloud to yourself: Tip: Focus on high-yield topics while teaching to save time. 9. Take Mock Tests Practicing previous year papers or mock tests enhances: Example: Time-Boxed Mock Test Table Subject Mock Test Duration Review Time Math 1 hour 30 mins Physics 45 mins 15 mins Chemistry 30 mins 15 mins 10. Don’t Panic Stress can reduce retention and focus. Stay calm, maintain positive thinking, and follow your study schedule. Practice deep breathing or mindfulness during breaks to alleviate anxiety. Time-Boxed Schedule for One Day Time Activity 6:30–8:30 AM High-priority formulas and notes 8:30–9:00 AM Breakfast & refresh 9:00–11:00 AM Difficult topics with visual aids 11:00–11:15 AM Short break 11:15–1:00 PM Practice questions 1:00–2:00 PM Lunch & rest 2:00–4:00 PM Active recall & revision 4:00–4:15 PM Quick break 4:15–6:00 PM Flashcards, charts, diagrams 6:00–7:00 PM Summarize notes 7:00–9:00 PM Light review & mental rehearsal Conclusion When preparing the day before an exam, concentrate on high-priority topics identified from lecture notes, summaries, and past exam papers. Structure your revision using short, focused study blocks with regular breaks to maintain concentration.  Avoid starting new topics; instead, strengthen what you already know using techniques like active recall, solving practice questions, or explaining concepts to someone else. Ensure you manage stress with relaxation methods and get adequate sleep so your mind is refreshed and ready for the exam. Following this approach transforms the final 24 hours into a productive, confidence-building revision session.

Math has always been a challenge for Class 9 students. Chapters like Algebra, Geometry, and Probability can feel tricky, and irregular practice often lowers exam scores. Success in Maths comes from understanding concepts deeply and applying them consistently. Even small daily study sessions build focus and self-discipline, helping you overcome procrastination. Remember, there is no shortcut to perfect scores—hard work, dedication, and steady effort are essential to excel. In this blog, you will discover practical tips and strategies to aim for 100 marks in Class 9 Maths. TL; DR Master the syllabus and fundamentals by focusing on NCERT concepts, revising earlier grade basics, and prioritizing high-weightage chapters to strengthen problem-solving skills. Practice consistently with past papers, sample questions, and timed mock tests, reviewing mistakes carefully and dedicating extra effort to weaker areas. Follow a structured study plan, use supplementary resources, and revise regularly to retain formulas, build confidence, and manage time efficiently during exams. Understand the Syllabus Thoroughly Many students start studying without a clear understanding of the syllabus, which can lead to wasted effort on low-weightage topics. Chapters like Algebra, Geometry, and Coordinate Geometry often carry more marks, while Statistics or Probability may carry less. Ignoring this distribution can reduce your overall score. The solution is to review the official CBSE or State Board syllabus carefully. Break down each chapter into subtopics and note the weightage of each. Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern, question types, and marking scheme to plan your study time efficiently. Organize Your Study Materials Disorganization can waste precious study time. Students often scramble for books, notes, or stationery, leading to interruptions and distraction during preparation. The approach is to create a clean and comfortable study space. Gather all necessary textbooks, notebooks, stationery, and reference materials before starting. Keep digital resources, like online tutorials or PDFs, organized for quick access. Master the Basics Skipping foundational concepts from earlier grades can make advanced topics difficult. Many Class 9 topics rely on understanding Grade 8 concepts, so weak basics can hinder problem-solving. To address this, review fundamental topics such as fractions, ratios, percentages, linear equations, and basic geometry before moving to advanced chapters. Practice examples that reinforce these concepts. Study NCERT Thoroughly Relying solely on reference books often confuses students and skips the core fundamentals. Missing foundational understanding can lead to mistakes on even basic questions. The approach is to thoroughly study NCERT textbooks first. Practice examples and exercises from each chapter before moving to supplementary resources. Mastering NCERT ensures a strong foundation, reduces errors, and prepares students for a wide range of questions in exams. Create a Structured Study Plan Many students struggle because their preparation is unplanned, resulting in last-minute cramming and uneven coverage. Spending too much time on one chapter while neglecting others reduces efficiency. The solution is to design a daily and weekly study plan. Allocate specific hours for theory, problem-solving, and revision, and include short breaks to maintain focus. A structured plan builds consistency, improves speed, and reduces exam anxiety. Students can cover all topics efficiently and gain confidence. Understand Problem-Solving Techniques Many students struggle when they encounter unfamiliar or tricky questions. Without proper techniques, they may waste time or make errors. To overcome this, learn different approaches for solving problems. Break complex problems into smaller steps and apply systematic methods. For example, in Algebra, identify patterns before solving equations; in Geometry, visualize figures before applying theorems. Solve Past Papers and Sample Papers Many students are unprepared for the exam pattern, which affects time management and performance. Not practicing actual questions can lead to slow attempts during exams. To tackle this, solve previous years’ question papers and sample papers under timed conditions. Analyze mistakes and focus on weak areas for additional practice. This strategy familiarizes students with exam patterns, improves speed, and boosts confidence. It also teaches effective time management for the exam day. Analyze Mistakes and Focus on Weak Areas Repeating errors reduces marks and confidence. Many students ignore mistakes and continue practicing without correcting them. To overcome this, carefully review errors in exercises, mock tests, and past papers. Identify weak chapters and dedicate extra time to practice them until proficiency is achieved. This method ensures balanced preparation, strengthens problem areas, and increases overall exam performance. Analyze Mistakes and Focus on Weak Areas Repeating errors reduces marks and confidence. Many students ignore mistakes and continue practicing without correcting them. To overcome this, carefully review errors in exercises, mock tests, and past papers. Identify weak chapters and dedicate extra time to practice them until proficiency is achieved. This method ensures balanced preparation, strengthens problem areas, and increases overall exam performance. Utilize Supplementary Resources Relying solely on the textbook may limit exposure to different problem types. Students may struggle if they encounter unfamiliar questions in exams. The approach is to use supplementary materials like reference books, online tutorials, and practice tests. Video lessons and interactive exercises offer alternative explanations and problem-solving techniques. Mock Tests & Time Management Many students perform poorly despite knowing concepts because they cannot manage time effectively. Spending too long on a single question may leave others unanswered. To address this, simulate exam conditions using mock tests. Time yourself for each section, and practice pacing to allocate adequate time for all questions. Analyze results and identify topics needing improvement. Mock tests improve time management, exam readiness, and confidence. Students learn to handle pressure and complete exams efficiently. Revision Strategy Without proper revision, even well-prepared students forget key formulas and theorems. Last-minute revision without a plan may cause confusion. The solution is to create a systematic revision plan. Review notes, formulas, important methods, and practice problems regularly. Focus on weak areas and repeat key concepts multiple times before the exam. Consistent revision ensures retention, reinforces understanding, and boosts confidence. Students enter the exam fully prepared and ready to score top marks.